Early Christian Confessors and Persecution

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...they had been put against their will to the profane sacrifice, then such men, as the thrice-blessed martyrs have written to me from their prison concerning those in Libya and others their fellow ministers, can be placed in the ministry among the confessors on the testimony of the rest of their brothers. For they had been worn down by many torments, and were no longer able either to speak, or to give any utterance, or to move, so as to resist those who vainly used violence against them. For they did not assent to their impiety. As I have heard again from their fellow ministers, they will be reckoned among the confessors, as also the one who has ordered his life after the example of Timothy, obeying him who says, "Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

whereas we speak of that which is with God, as appears also from the confession of their faith made by those who are charged with being Christians, though they know that death is the punishment awarded to him who so confesses.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...e fear of God and with the observance given and commanded by Him. Moreover, they expose the blessed martyrs to ill will, and they involve the glorious servants of God in conflict with the priest of God. For although the martyrs, remembering my position, have sent letters to me and have asked that their requests should be examined and that peace should be granted to them—when our Mother, the Church herself, has first received peace, so that the Lord's mercy and divine protection may bring me back to His Church—yet these men disregard the honor that the blessed martyrs and the confessors preserve for me. They despise the Lord's law and that observance which those same martyrs and confessors command to be kept. Before the fear of persecution has ended, before my return, almost even before the departure of the martyrs, they have communion with the lapsed and offer and give them the Eucharist. Even if the martyrs, in the heat of their glory, should think less carefully about the Scriptures and should desire something excessive, they ought to be warned by the advice of the presbyters and deacons, as was always done in former times.

Early Liturgies, Liturgy of Adaeus and Maris Supporting witness

Make remembrance of prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors, bishops, doctors, priests, deacons, and all the sons of the Holy Catholic Church who have been signed with the sign of life, of holy baptism. We also, O Lord:

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

VIII. Now concerning the martyrs, we say to you that they are to be had in all honour with you, as we honour the blessed James the bishop, and the holy Stephen our fellow-servant.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Cyprian to the martyrs and confessors in Christ our Lord and in God the Father, everlasting salvation.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

1. Cyprian to the martyrs and confessors, his beloved brethren, greeting.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Concerning the Confessors — The Constitution of James the Son of Alpheus.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

XXIII. And I James, the son of Alphæus, make a constitution in regard to confessors: A confessor is not ordained;

Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione Direct teaching

2. If, because injustice is not from God, but from the devil, and persecution consists of injustice—for what is more unjust than that the bishops of the true God, and all the followers of the truth, should be treated in the manner of the vilest criminals?—persecution therefore seems to proceed from the devil, by whom the injustice that makes up persecution is carried out, we ought to know this: just as you do not have persecution without the devil's injustice, so you do not have the trial of faith without persecution. The injustice necessary for the trial of faith does not give a warrant for persecution, but supplies an agency. In reality, in reference to the trial of faith, which is the reason for persecution, the will of God goes first. But as the instrument of persecution, which is the way of trial, the injustice of the devil follows. For in other respects too, injustice, in proportion to the enmity it shows against righteousness, gives occasion for attestations of that to which it is opposed as an enemy, so that righteousness may be perfected in injustice, as strength is perfected in weakness. For the weak things of the world have been chosen by God to confound the strong, and

Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

...hild; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death," He has clearly announced, with reference to the others, this kind of unrighteous conduct, which we do not find shown in the case of the apostles. For none of them experienced a father or a brother as a betrayer, which very many of us have. Then He returns to the apostles: "And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake." How much more will this be true of us, for whom there is the necessity of being handed over even by parents. Thus, by assigning this very betrayal now to the apostles, now to all, He pours out the same destruction on all the possessors of the name, on whom the name will rest together with the condition that it is an object of hatred. "But he who will endure to the end, this man will be saved." By enduring what, if not persecution, betrayal, and death? For to endure to the end is nothing else than to suffer the end. And therefore there immediately follow the words, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his own lord." Because, since the Master and Lord Himself stood firm in suffering persecution, betrayal, and death, much more it will be the duty

Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione Supporting witness

...ance. In fact, there is room for nothing but fear and hope. So even by this very thing we have it clearly proved that persecution, improving as it does the servants of God, cannot be imputed to the devil.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

Then the prison-gates having been thrown open, you, my best beloved Donatus, together with the other confessors for the faith, were set at liberty from a jail, which had been your residence for six years.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

So the confessors for the faith had their ears and nostrils slit, their hands and feet lopped off, and their eyes dug out of the sockets.

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Supporting witness

Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing

2 Thessalonians 1:4 Supporting witness

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

2 Timothy 3:12 Supporting witness

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Mark 13:9 Supporting witness

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.

Luke 21:12 Supporting witness

But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.

1 Peter 4:16 Supporting witness

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

And I, James the son of Alphaeus, make a rule about confessors: a confessor is not ordained, because he becomes one by choice and patience, and he is worthy of great honor, since he has confessed the name of God and of His Christ before nations and kings. But if there is a need, he may be ordained as a bishop, priest, or deacon. But if any confessor who has not been ordained seizes such a dignity for himself because of his confession, let that person be removed and rejected. For he does not hold such an office, since he has denied the constitution of Christ and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...n his own rank, be counted among the confessors. But if they were laymen, they should be counted as martyrs, because they did not do these things by their own free will, and they did not agree to the act at all. Also, those who, because of the extreme torture, lost their bodily strength and were not able to resist those who poured the wine of the libations into their mouths are also to be counted among the confessors. Next, he speaks of those who bear witness through a good conscience, and he counts them among the confessors.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

As also among the confessors are to be reckoned those who from the extremity of the tortures lost their strength of body, and were not able to resist those who poured into their mouths the wine of the libations.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

as also those who from the extremity of the suffering lost their bodily vigour, so as neither to be able to speak or move, nor to resist those who were violently pouring into their months the wine of libations, these also are to be placed among the cofessors.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

But if any have endured much violence and the strong pressure of necessity, receiving into their mouths iron and chains, and for their good affection towards the faith have bravely borne the burning of their hands that against their will had been put to the profane sacrifice, as from their prison the thrice-blessed martyrs have written to me respecting those in Libya, and others their fellow-ministers;

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

For if to the clergy who voluntarily offered themselves to the contest of confession, and who, when tormented, failed in constancy and yielded, and afterwards returned to the contest, if to them indulgence is scarcely granted, because they deferred to execute their ministerial duties;

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...nd. It was as if they were trying by force to seize the peace that had been promised to them by the martyrs and confessors. About this too, I wrote twice to the clergy, and ordered that my letters be read to them. I said that, for the time being, in order to lessen their violence in any way, if any who had received a certificate from the martyrs were near death, after making confession and receiving the laying on of hands for repentance, they should be sent to the Lord with the peace promised to them by the martyrs. In this, I did not lay down a law for them, or rashly make myself the author of this direction. Rather, it seemed proper both that honor should be paid to the martyrs, and that the violence of those who were eager to throw everything into disorder should be restrained. Besides this, I had read your letter, which you recently sent here to my clergy through Crementius the subdeacon. In it, you said that help should be given to those who, after their fall, were seized with sickness and penitently desired communion. So I thought it right to follow your judgment, lest our actions, which ought to be united and in agreement in all things, should differ in any way. As for th

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...t, or had likewise infected their consciences with wicked certificates, were everywhere begging the martyrs, and were also corrupting the confessors with constant and excessive pleas, so that, without any distinction or examination of the persons themselves, thousands of certificates were being given every day, contrary to the law of the Gospel, I wrote letters in which I called the martyrs and confessors back, as much as possible by my counsel, to the Lord's commands. The strength of the priesthood was also not lacking among the presbyters and deacons, so that some who were too forgetful of discipline and too hasty, and who had already begun to give communion to the lapsed with reckless haste, were restrained by my intervention. Among the people also, I have done what I could to calm their minds, and I have instructed them to keep ecclesiastical discipline.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

To the Martyrs and Confessors Who Sought that Peace Should Be Granted to the Lapsed.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

To the Clergy, Bidding Them Show Every Kindness to the Confessors in Prison.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...re trying to do in this matter. For if they say that the Gospel has established one ruling, but the martyrs have established another, then by setting the martyrs against the Gospel they will be in danger from both sides. On the one hand, the majesty of the Gospel will seem broken and cast down if it can be overcome by some new ruling. On the other hand, the glorious crown of confession will be taken from the heads of the martyrs if they are not found to have gained it by keeping that Gospel from which they become martyrs. And so, rightly, no one should be more careful not to decide anything contrary to the Gospel than the one who strives to receive the name of martyr from the Gospel. Besides this, we would like to be told the following: if martyrs become martyrs for no other reason than that, by not sacrificing, they may keep the peace of the Church even to the shedding of their own blood, lest by being overcome under the pain of torture and by losing peace they might lose salvation, then on what principle do they think that the salvation which they thought they would not have if they had sacrificed should be given to those who are said to have sacrificed? This is especially so

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Argument.— When, in the Urgency of a New Persecution, Certain of the Lapsed Had Confessed Christ, and So, Before They Went Away into Exile, Sought for Peace, Caldonius Consults Cyprian as to Whether Peace Should Be Granted Them.